Teenagers in top 100

[El Dude]

I thought it would be interesting to look at teenagers in the top 100 historically, going back in five year increments. I'm using today's date for 2015, but all others are year-end rankings:

March 2, 2015
36. Nick Kyrgios (19)
61. Borna Coric (18)

2010
None (Dimitrov was the highest at 106)

2005
2. Rafael Nadal (19)
16. Richard Gasquet (19)
30. Gael Monfils (19)
64. Andy Murray (18)
78. Novak Djokovic (18)

2000
7. Lleyton Hewitt (19)
29. Roger Federer (19)
52. Andreas Vinciguerra (19)
68. Olivier Rochus (19)
88. Guillermo Coria (18)

1995
25. Marcelo Rios (19)
38. Mark Philippoussis (19)
61. Carlos Moya (19)
69. Sjeng Schalken (19)

1990
5. Pete Sampras (19)
9. Goran Ivanisevic (19)
15. Michael Chang (18)
28. Sergei Bruguera (19)
50. Todd Woodbridge (19)
51. Nicklas Kulti (19)
62. Fabrice Santoro (18)
74. Aki Rahunen (19)

1985
5. Stefan Edberg (19)
6. Boris Becker (18)
29. Aaron Krickstein (18)
45. Jaime Yzaga (18)
50. Kent Carlsson (17)
70. Horacio De La Pena (19)
82. Bruno Oresar (19)
87. Leonardo Lavalle (18)
98. Thomas Muster (18)

Tennis Abstract doesn't have teenage rankings before 1984.

Anyhow, no surprises here, but you can really see how times have changed. In 2014 Kyrgios and Coric were the first teenagers to finish the year in the top 100 since Tomic and Harrison in 2011. Before that you have to go back to Kei Nishikori in 2008, then Del Potro, Gulbis, Cilic, Korolev and Young in 2007. Before that there usually is several every year, especially from about 2001 and before.

One other thing to note. Being a teenager in the top 100 isn't a guarantee of success - as many of the forgotten names above prove (Anyone remember Andreas Vinciguerra? A lost member of Generation Federer; as far as I can tell his last ATP tournament was Bastad in 2013). That said, a top 100 ranking as a teenager usually points to success.

 

[Federberg]

I'm a bit surprised Murray was ranked higher than Novak. For some reason I thought Novak made his appearance on the scene a bit earlier than Murray and was more quietly consistent than him. My recollection must be biased by subsequent history!

 

[herios]

I'm a bit surprised Murray was ranked higher than Novak. For some reason I thought Novak made his appearance on the scene a bit earlier than Murray and was more quietly consistent than him. My recollection must be biased by subsequent history!

Novak made the appearance on the "Big stage" faster, meaning how quicker he closed towards the very top than Murray:

2006:
Djokovic ranked 16
Murray 17
so right beside each other

2007:
Djokovic 3
Murray 11.

So when they turned 20, Nole became relevant, Murray the next year only in 2008.

 

[Federberg]

^makes sense. Murray was making a splash with some high profile wins (Roddick, Federer etc), but Novak was getting it done more consistently if I recall

 

[herios]

If Kokkinakis plays this well, it is safe to assume he will make it into the top 100 sometimes this year joining Borna. Nick Kyrgios turns 20 next month, but he could very well be replaced by his fellow countryman who is one year younger than him, therefore we could have 2 teenagers for a while in the top 100.
Kokkibakis is at 124 at the moment.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

I know I might sound like a broken record with Nick,he was lucky he didnt get stress fractures in his back,Nick will be turning 20 in April,he has always suffered injuries even as a junior,I look at his ranking and future with caution

 

[herios]

I know I might sound like a broken record with Nick,he was lucky he didnt get stress fractures in his back,Nick will be turning 20 in April,he has always suffered injuries even as a junior,I look at his ranking and future with caution

WE share the same opinion about Kyrgios, but what are your expectations for Kokkinakis? Realistically, not with the fan induced subjectivity?

 

[El Dude]

Hyeon Chung (#122, 18 in May) and Alexander Zverev (#136, 18 in April) will probably be in the top 100 soon. A few other names to keep an eye out for: Jared Donaldson, Yoshihito Nishioka, Elias Ymer, Christian Garin. All of these players are solid or better bets to reach the top 100 as teenagers.

 

[herios]

Hyeon Chung (#122, 18 in May) and Alexander Zverev (#136, 18 in April) will probably be in the top 100 soon. A few other names to keep an eye out for: Jared Donaldson, Yoshihito Nishioka, Elias Ymer, Christian Garin. All of these players are solid or better bets to reach the top 100 as teenagers.

Chung yes, Zverev is kinda trading waters for a few months now. I am watching him and his results are not too good.
About the rest, we shall see.

 

[El Dude]

Zverev is so young that he deserves the benefit of the doubt. Chung is rising like a meteor - anyone know anything about his game?

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

I know I might sound like a broken record with Nick,he was lucky he didnt get stress fractures in his back,Nick will be turning 20 in April,he has always suffered injuries even as a junior,I look at his ranking and future with caution

WE share the same opinion about Kyrgios, but what are your expectations for Kokkinakis? Realistically, not with the fan induced subjectivity?

Well Kokkinakis I am afraid is in the same boat as Nick,he too has picked up injuries/prone to injuries.There are area's in his game that need improvement,I like the fact he now has Jason Stoltenberg as one of his coaches.Top 30 or 20 player....

 

[GameSetAndMath]

Kokkinakis seems to have a better all around game than Krygios, but he seems to lack a weapon.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Kokkinakis has a great fhand,he can hit it flat or with spin,the area he needs to improve on is his backhand and defense on his bhand wing,I have noticed he does tend to get caught out of position in matches.

 

[herios]

Zverev is so young that he deserves the benefit of the doubt. Chung is rising like a meteor - anyone know anything about his game?

I know how young Zverev is and indeed, he has lots of time ahead of him. I also think, many of these teenagers ill or not will count as future great players at the end of their road.
You keep mentioning his name along Kyrgios and Coric like possible future greats.
But, there are also possibilities that some of them could get up fast then get stuck at a level from where they cannot move much further.
Zverev made his breakthrough last summer in the post Wimby clay season.
After he started to play on HC, his results became ordinary. So it might be an issue with his skill as far as playing on hards.
I hope his coaches help him figuring it out.
Losing yesterday in R1 to Michael Russell in 3 sets after he won the first set is not good news.
Russell is usually who tires out and loses his matches in the 3rd set, because I think he cannot push the matches through at 36 going soon on 37.
A. Zverev is less than half his age, so stamina should have not been the issue. More the ability to change and adapt his game was not there, while Russell adapted his game to take him down in the end.
I know this was a lengthy statement, but I just wanted to tell why I am not impressed by Zverev at the moment.

 

[GameSetAndMath]

Chung has been given a wild card into main draw of Miami.

 

[10isfan]

Chung will have to battle with the South Korean government about his military service when the time comes. Only athletes who win Olympic medals are exempt. Let's hope the Korean male golfers get this straightened out to pave the way for Chung. I would love to have a Korean player to cheer for. Jamie Hampton and Grace Min are not doing much as of yet.

 

[JesuslookslikeBorg]

kokk just won his 1st rd match..his serve is fast already but no speed gun on his court (couldn't see one).

so a top 100 spot could be hoving into view pretty soon.

 

[herios]

Out of the top 3 teenagers who were in the main draw at IW, the higher ranked 2 Kyrgios and Coric failed to progress deeper than R64, which is still good, because they won their first match each.
So they consolidate a top 64 ranking for now.
The 3 one who is ranked outside of the top 100, Kokkinakis instead has made the top 32, which is remarkable.
He plays Monaco next, and he will not be the most difficult opponent either.

 

[El Dude]

Thanasi is now #114 in the live rankings. He'll need to defeat not only Monaco but his next opponent to get into the top 100, though. Still, even if he loses it has been an impressive tournament and it seems like he'll be in the top 100 shortly enough.

 

[El Dude]

Thanasi up to #106 in live rankings. If he can get past Bernie tomorrow, he'll be around #80.

Borna will end the tournament at #58, so he's creeping up. Kyrgios is at #36 so he's been holding steady in the 30s for awhile. Not sure if he'll lose ground or not over the next month or two as he'll be out with an injury.